Skehans
New Cross Gate, London
Bar in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlWhy go
Skehans is a good call for a casual New Cross pub night when ease matters more than a documented cocktail, wine, or food programme. Treat it as a practical local option for drinks with friends, not a destination bar worth crossing London for unless the area already fits the plan.
About Skehans
For a direct London night out, Skehans offers practical details: it is in London, the dress code is casual, the opening hours run from afternoon into late evening, with midnight closes on Friday and Saturday.
The main reason to choose it is simplicity. It does not specify cuisine type, chef detail, awards trail, price point, drinks focus, booking policy, or service format, so it should not be treated as a specialist destination on those grounds. Go when the basics fit the plan, check the venue directly for anything more specific.
Choose it for a casual London night, not an over-specified destination plan
This is a practical option when Skehans' London location, casual dress code, hours suit the evening. If the night needs a specific cocktail, wine, dining, or hotel angle, use our full London bars guide and compare other London options generically. If the wider plan includes dinner or a hotel stay, pair the choice with our full London restaurants guide and our full London hotels guide.
For travellers building a broader itinerary, Skehans is best considered through its practical facts. For non-venue-specific planning, keep other London guides separate, which is useful if the group is comparing different kinds of plans.
Worth it if the basics fit
The practical verdict is simple: consider Skehans when you want a casual London venue and its hours work for your plans. It is open 2–11 PM Monday to Thursday, 2 PM–12 AM Friday, 12 PM–12 AM Saturday, 12–11 PM Sunday. For comparison planning, you may also look at Royal George, The Ivy House, The Man of Kent, The Wickham Arms, or The Brockley Barge - JD Wetherspoon, while checking each venue directly for current details.
Planning details
- Location
- 1 Kitto Rd, London SE14 5TW, United Kingdom
- Website
- skehans.com
- Phone
- +44 20 7732 4859
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Skehans reads like a steadfast neighbourhood Irish pub: modest, familiar and intentionally unchanged. The writing stresses its role as a community anchor where the room looks the same midweek as at the weekend, staff know regulars by name, and the operation resists trend-chasing. Live music is programmed as a social continuation — trad sessions or folk nights that feel like gatherings rather than ticketed events. The overall impression is warm and unpretentious: a place built on reliability and belonging rather than spectacle, where comfort comes from consistency and the crowd is as important as the pint.
Best For
This is a pub for people who value steadiness over style. It suits locals, regulars and anyone after an unshowy drink in friendly company — solo visitors find it easy to settle in because staff and patrons maintain a familiar atmosphere. It also works for low-key group outings and after-work stops where conversation and a dependable drinks programme matter more than craft trends. Skehans is less an attraction for tourists seeking a staged ‘Irish’ experience and more a functioning social room for the neighbourhood it serves.
Ordering Tips
Don’t expect a rotating cocktail list or a trend-led drinks programme; the pub’s appeal is its consistency. The description makes clear the drinks offer doesn’t shift with Shoreditch or Peckham fashions, so opt for classic pours and local favourites rather than hunting for signature creations. If you’re curious about the music nights, look out for trad or folk sessions presented as social gatherings rather than headline gigs. And if you want to settle in, strike up a chat with staff or regulars — the place rewards familiarity.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy traditional pub with wood-burning stove, nicotine-stained ceiling, high ceilings, open floor space, and a lively, welcoming vibe.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Pub
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Folk, Rock, Karaoke
- Live Music
- Yes
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- The Man of Kent, Notable alternative
- The Brockley Barge - JD Wetherspoon, Notable alternative
- The Ivy House, Notable alternative
- The Wickham Arms, Notable alternative
- Royal George, Notable alternative
Bar context
How Skehans compares with nearby pub options
Choose Skehans when the brief is an easy New Cross pub night with low planning pressure. The Man of Kent and The Wickham Arms are the closer cross-shops if the group wants another traditional pub option in London, while Skehans is the safer choice when staying near Kitto Road matters more than chasing a specific drinks angle.
For value, The Brockley Barge - JD Wetherspoon is the obvious comparison because Wetherspoon pubs usually suit price-sensitive groups who want predictable ordering and minimal ceremony. Skehans is the better fit if the group wants a more local-pub feel; The Brockley Barge is easier to justify when budget and speed are the main criteria.
If atmosphere is the deciding factor, compare Skehans with The Ivy House and Royal George. The Ivy House is the stronger alternative when the night calls for a more character-led pub choice, while Royal George works as another simple London pub fallback. Skehans wins on convenience for New Cross plans, not on a clearly published speciality.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Skehans guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Skehans
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Skehans | London | No published awards |
| The Man of Kent | London | No published awards |
| The Brockley Barge - JD Wetherspoon | London | No published awards |
| The Ivy House | London | No published awards |
| The Wickham Arms | London | No published awards |
| Royal George | London | No published awards |
How Skehans London compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation at Skehans?
A reservation policy is not specified. Skehans has a casual dress code, but you should check the venue directly if timing, entry, or a larger group matters. The Ivy House is another London option to compare for your plans.
What's the best time to go to Skehans?
Skehans opens at 2 PM Monday to Friday, 12 PM on Saturday and Sunday, closes at 11 PM Sunday to Thursday, closes at 12 AM on Friday and Saturday. Choose the time that fits your plan, confirm current hours before travelling. The Wickham Arms is another London option to compare.
Is Skehans good for a date?
It may suit a low-key plan if a casual London setting is what you want. Details about ambience, seating, menu, or service style are not specified, so check directly if the occasion needs something specific. The Ivy House is another option to consider.
What's the crowd like at Skehans?
A crowd description is not available. Skehans has a casual dress code and later weekend hours, with Friday and Saturday closing at 12 AM. The Brockley Barge - JD Wetherspoon is another London venue you can compare.
Is Skehans open late?
Skehans is open until 12 AM on Friday and Saturday. It closes at 11 PM from Sunday through Thursday, with opening times of 2 PM Monday to Friday and 12 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Is Skehans good for groups?
Group policy, booking details, or capacity information are not available. The casual dress code and published hours may make planning straightforward, but larger groups should confirm directly. Royal George is another London option to compare.
